Mary or Martha Passover Preparations?

Is it possible to overuse Mary and Martha as examples? They've made trips around from housecleaning, to how one approaches their own time with the Lord, to hospitality, to relationships in general (and probably a plethora of other topics). And now.... Passover?

Well...

Yes.

As we tarry on our journey to learning about celebrating Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, we are trying to discern what packages to leave behind and what ones are Scriptural packages to take with us. We still consider ourselves newbies at this with lots to learn. But one thing we do know for certain is that God's/Yahweh's ways are not burdensome to His people (Matthew 11:29, 30).

Are Yahweh's/Yeshua's Ways a Burden?

Sometimes people talk about preparing for the Lord's Spring Feasts as if the preparation was burdensome. For example, National No Housekeeping Day! took place on April 7th and some people were carrying on about how they couldn't possibly take one day off from housework with all they have to do in preparation. 

I've seen little cartoon graphics people make of themselves, loaded with cleaning supplies and staring up at towering piles of items that need to be cleaned off and put in their proper homes. Okaaaaaaaay........

I don't know about you, but this makes me think of Martha. It just makes preparations sound and become burdensome! And I suppose they can be if any of us add to what God's/Yahweh's instruction are. If, however, we take this approach to doing more than necessary, we'll miss resting in the peacefulness of these special appointed times.

How Much and What Needs to Be Removed?

Well, in our family, we limit food to the kitchen and dining room (for the most part). Once in a blue moon, we'll eat in the living room. So, we technically have only three rooms to *clean*. Do so many people really eat all throughout their homes? It's the impression I'm starting to get. I can see how that can put a damper on anticipating the Lord's Feasts with excitement.

So, I've been trying to figure out how people can clean leaven out of their homes and off of their property. At least... I'm trying to figure out when it's termed as *yeast*. I mean, yeast is in the air! It's impossible to clear it out.

Hmmmm.

What Did the Israelites/Hebrews/Early Church Do?

Well, it all seems to come back around to our limited understanding of the ancient Hebrew culture. They would basically do sourdough starter. In Hebrew it's called, chametz. So, all we are to do, as I understand it, is to toss out the old lump of chametz (sourdough starter is just a little bit of leaven) which symbolizes false/incorrect teachings and false doctrines according to what the Scriptures teach. 

Toss the old lump. Toss bread made from the old lump. Done.

But I Don't Make Sourdough Starter!

(Neither do I. Yet. And When I do, it'll be for nutritional reasons.)

Which means that I purchase breads.

In Spirit and in Truth, these are the things we remove from our home because they come from some other source of leaven (chametz).

What About All That Cleaning? Is It Necessary?

To a degree. Naturally where we eat, we ought to vacuum up crumbs from the old chametz. Including our vehicles (because we eat on the go sometimes). Again, since we limit where we eat, not too much to do. And it's not burdensome. It's what God/Yahweh wants and it's something that needs to be done anyway.

This approach to Passover/Pesach preparations sound very much like Mary to me. Doing only what is necessary, with joy, peace, and *sitting* at the feet of Jesus/Yeshua. Let us do this as we learn and understand how, by God/Yahweh's design, He is our Passover Lamb- for the remission of our sins.

And this is not downplaying the significance of why we clean out the chametz. Nor is it downplaying the lessons God/Yahweh has for us through them. But it's not adding to what He said. And it's not creating burdens for us... because remember... His ways are not burdensome.

Following what He instructs us to do, is a delight. And it enhances our experience. Being *so.busy* for the sake of being busy to prepare robs us of relaxing and taking joy in His presence and Feast Days. But doing only what He instructs us to do, frees us up! It frees us up from feeling burdened or weary from getting ready for His appointed times. Our hearts are light and prepared to sit at His feet.

Let's not do it to ourselves. Let's not add to what God/Yahweh instructs. And let's not set that example to others. It's misleading.

Blessings,

The Fallacy of Art: Jesus' (Yeshua's) Resurrection

Art. It's powerful. It has been used to help illiterate people learn the historical accounts found in the Bible. And I have become increasingly aware of the responsibility that we artists have. Because... well, because art has the ability to teach correctly or... incorrectly. It has the power to influence us in such a way that we are quick to embrace its message. Seeing is believing??

I can't recall who, but someone once made an excellent point about the responsibility of art and how it impacts kids. Seeds of doubt can be planted in their minds about a world-wide flood and an ark containing many species of animals when they see a little tubby boat having over-sized giraffes and other critters sticking out of windows. 

Art, however, affects adults as well as children. We tend to gravitate toward what we have seen vs. investigating to see if what we have seen is a true depiction of what the Scriptures teach us.

What do you think of when you see the picture below? What do you recall from Scripture? What do you recall from things you have learnend over the years?

{Shared free image from st-takla.org}

This is a common depiction of Yeshua after His resurrection. Notice that it's bright daylight. A flower garden is suggested. Soft colors are used. He doesn't look Middle-Eastern (grant it skin tones range from light to dark in the middle-east. Mostly I'm referring to features and hair color.)

The main thing I'm referring to is the time of day. How many days was Yeshua in the tomb? Three days. How many hours is that? It's 72 hours.

When we were studying about The Passion Week in our Bible lessons, we got to thinking that some things weren't making sense. Needless to say, we dove in deeper to research and gain understanding.

It is commonly taught that Yeshua was buried on a Friday and resurrected on Sunday morning. If we count the days this way: Friday, Saturday, Sunday. One. Two. Three days. We say He was in the tomb since a Friday and sunrise services are attended. But is this accurate according to Scripture? What can understanding the Hebrew culture teach us of the Scriptures which are written with a Hebrew mindset?

The Bible tells us that He was crucified at 3 pm. When understanding the Hebrew culture, the Jews were getting ready for Passover preparations, so they would have buried Him in the tomb prior to sunset (annual, monthly and weekly Sabbaths begin at sunset and end at sunset the next day). Let's see if what is commonly taught through art about a sunrise resurrection adds up. 

What's the big deal? Is it a salvation issue? No. It is not a salvation issue. But, I think it's important to know what the Bible teaches as best as we are able to. I think it's important to know what the truth is. In addition, it could cause some people to question the validity of the Bible. Therefor, I think it's important for apologetic purposes. All of these are serious enough reasons for me.

However, we need to think with a Hebraic mindset. What does God call a day? Open up your Bible, please, to Genesis 1:5, "And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day." He calls the evening and the morning the first day. So, for some reason we think of the design of a day in a backwards fashion from what our Creator designed it as. When and where and how that happened, I know not.

Nevertheless, let's try it from the Hebraic teachings:

 

We can reason that, most likely, Yeshua was crucified on a Wednesday at 3 pm (not a Friday). As I understand it at this time, He would have been buried by sunset on Wednesday because the Jews were making preparations for the annual Sabbath of Passover. Wednesday sunset to Thursday sunset is one day. Thursday sunset to Friday sunset is two days. And Friday sunset to Saturday (Sabbath Day) sunset is three days. 

So, once the full 72 hours were complete, He rose on Sunday (the First Day) just as Sabbath ended at sunset. 

Who would have thought a story problem would be found in the Bible? I wouldn't have!

Now, if you will please open up your Bible to John 20:11-18 and read. Do you see that Miriam  (Mary is her name in English) is at the tomb, weeping? Who does she mistake Yeshua to be? 

The gardener.

What?! Why?! The gardener?! Seriously?!

Let's evaluate the common depiction of Yeshua after His resurrection again. Recall, if you will, that we often see that it's broad daylight. 

Let us reason that if it was broad daylight, how could she have mistaken Him to be a gardener? I'm learning by and by to pay closer to each word in the Scriptures. It's something I'm putting into practice. Are you, too? If you read John 20:1, you'll see that it is still dark out when Miriam (Mary) arrives at the tomb. 

We must ask, why did she go when it was still dark out? Because she knew that Yeshua was to be in the tomb for a full 72 hours. She went to see if He was still there after 72 hours. Three.full.days. And three.full.nights. Just as He said in Matthew 12:38-40: "⁴⁰ For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." KJV

I reason that it must have been darker... like this... or maybe even darker out...

And do you know what I wonder? I wonder if it wasn't almost immediately after He was resurrected. Because when we read in John 20:17, Yeshua tells her not to touch Him because He had not ascended yet unto the Father. So, He sent Miriam away to go tell His brethren that He was ascending to the Father. If you keep reading in your Bible, you'll read that it was the evening of the first day when Yeshua appeared to the disciples.

We must also ask, why did she mistake Him for the gardener? Well, we have established that it was dark out so it was hard for her to see clearly. But why was He in the garden? He became the first fruits when He was risen (But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 1 Corinthians 15:20).

Are your socks knocked off yet? Mine were! Why is it taught that Yeshua rose at sunrise? Why is it that many believers hold and attend sunrise services? That may be worth some time to investigate on your own, if you are interested in learning about it. 

And why? Why oh why are the Lord's Feasts ignored and replaced with something called Easter? Passover is about His Crucifixion, the Feast of Unleavened Bread is about His burial, and First Fruits is about His resurrection.

I don't want to settle for substitutes. Do you?

Blessings,

Passover: Jesus the Lamb of God

Yeshua is His name in Hebrew. Yeshua Hamashiach and He is the Lamb of Yahweh. "And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!" John 1:36.

Now, why is Yeshua referred to as a lamb? And why a Passover Lamb. Why isn't He referred to as the Easter Lamb? Passover is not translated from Easter. It is translated from the Hebrew word Pesach. Well, Easter is a whole other story. Let's learn what the Bible teaches us about Passover.

{Josefa de Ayala ca. 1670-1684}

 Let's go along the History (His Story) Timeline...

Specifically, Yahweh's Appointed Times on His Calendar.. 

What's with Passover Anyway?

 

The Exodus...

 

{Free Clip Art: Sweet Publishing}

You may already know that this Feast of the Lord's celebrates the deliverance of the Hebrews out of Egypt. Have you learned that the application of the passover lamb's blood on door posts was a foreshadow of our Savior, Yahweh's Lamb, willingly shedding His blood for the redemption of our sins?

I hadn't heard the term "foreshadow" when growing up. I also don't recall learning of this in a church we attended for over a decade. Maybe it's because we didn't focus on or learn about Passover and it's depths and richness and meanings... but rather we listened to a traditional message about what was done at the cross... but under the name of Easter. This is not said to offend, but to state a fact.

Yeshua's Birth.... 

So... Why Bethlehem? 

 

{Free clip art courtesy of: Sweet Publishing.}

Have you ever wondered why Yahweh Providentially chose Bethlehem for the town in which our Savior was to be born? It hadn't crossed my mind; I just knew that that's where He was born.

Let me take you on a brief journey. The setting is Bethlehem and it's lambing season. The Sadducees are busily selecting lambs to set aside specifically to choose from for the Passover sacrifice; a lamb without spot or blemish. It had to be a lamb out of Bethlehem. And, do you know, that this was a foreshadow of our Savior? Our Savior, the Lamb of Yahweh was born in Bethlehem... perfect without spot or blemish. Just as the prophets had prophesied. 

Now had you ever learned this before? I hadn't. Our pastor was talking on this not too long ago and it just amazed me. Everything in Scripture is there for a reason. How many times have I read about Him being born in Bethlehem without a clue as to why?

So, it is possible that this infers that He was born around the time of the lambing season vs. The Feast of Tabernacles. Either way, the lambing season or the Feast of Tabernacles, the important matter is that He was born and fulfilled the prophecy at the cross.

The Timing of Yeshua's Crucifixion... 

 

What Was Happening Months Before Yeshua was Crucified?

 

{Free clip art courtesy: Sweet Publishing}

Our pastor has also been teaching us about the Hebrew culture and why things were happening the way they were as events lead up to Yeshua's crucifixion.

As our pastor walked us through passages of Scripture in John 7, the events came to life (so to speak). Understanding was finally taking place for us. 

John 7 opens up with people heading to the Feast of Tabernacles- so we're six months prior to Passover. So, it's fallish out. Usually the Feast of Tabernacles falls in September/October.

Take a moment to open up your Bible so you can better join me. You'll see that Yeshuah would not walk with the Jewry because Jews sought to kill him. But you know, despite people wanting to kill Him, He was obedient to Yahweh in going to the Feast of Tabernacles (which is one of Yahweh's Feasts). 

See, the people at this feast recognized that the Sanhedrin wanted to kill Yeshua. And when Yeshua calls the Sanhedrin on it, they told Him He had a demon. It went like this:

"Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?
²⁰ The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?" KJV

What?! Boy they sure didn't like when Yeshua pointed out to them that they weren't keeping Yahweh's Law/Instructions. Why, they had a lot of clout and their man-made traditions/laws were more important to them than keeping Yahweh's Instructions (it's maybe something to question about ourselves, too....). But, um, yeah... they didn't like being challenged or corrected. These leaders decided they would be out to get Him.

At the very same time, the Sanhedrin admire Him. They are amazed at His teaching and His knowledge when He teaches in the Temple. Do you know why they were marveled? It's because He wasn't trained.

Even the crowd picks up on this....

"Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?
²⁶ But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?" KJV

Can you just see this scene mounting? What would it have been like to see the Sanhedrin in such conflict? Here they have been calling Yeshua a deceiver while at the same time they are admiring him for his understanding of what the Scriptures say.

Then the people started to wonder if He could be the Messiah because they were taught that no one would know where He came from; yet they knew where Yeshua was from. Some of the people in the crowd were beginning to pause and ponder just a bit.

v 27. "Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is." KJV

Well now, isn't that interesting? Why were the leaders teaching the people that no one would know where the Messiah would come from? The prophets prophesied that He would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:3-5), of the tribe of Judah, of the House of David (I have come to appreciate those long lineages listed in Scripture!).

How frustrating this must have been for Yeshua! He wants them to see and they just won't do it!

"²⁸ Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.
²⁹ But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me." KJV

I wonder, if I were in the crowd at this time, would I have *gotten it*? I am so thankful that when I don't *get things* right away that He teaches in Scripture, He is soooooo patient with me and gently leads me. And I'm continually thankful for the opportunity to learn! 


Our pastor does word studies (imagine how our family loves this!) and he shared that the word "from" comes from the Greek word para which means, "side by side" and it can mean "out of". However, in John 7:28 it means "out of the side of the One who sent Me."

So, with tension rising and the crowd stirring with questions, one would think that this would be the time for Yeshua to be captured. But Scripture tells us...

"³⁰ Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come." KJV

His hour was not yet come. Another reminder that Yahweh Has a calendar of appointed times. Yeshua's birth, Yeshua's crucifixion, Yeshua's burial (Feast of Unleavened Bread), Yeshua's resurrection (First Fruits), the celebrations of His Feasts. 

It's rich! It's rich! It's rich!

Are you learning a lot, too? Isn't it exciting to understand what's going on? I didn't used to understand the whole issue that the Pharisees, Sadducees and the Sanhedrin had. And I didn't used to know that Passover was the Lord's Feast and how and why it's something for followers of Yeshua the Messiah to keep. 

This is our family's third year keeping Passover and each year we learn something(s) that we had not previously learned. 

I can't wait to share more!

Blessings!

The Lord's Spring Feasts Are Nearly Upon Us!

We wrapped up winter with a meaningful time during the minor Jewish Feast of Purim. I think it interesting how this minor Bible Feast about deliverance takes place leading up to the major Bible Feasts pertaining to mankind's deliverance from sin through Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah).
 
And now... now the Lord's Spring Feasts are nearly upon us!

Do you know that Passover during the Exodus was a foreshadow of Yeshua's crucifixion? I didn't learn that while growing up. Did you?

Do you know that Passover is about Yeshua's crucifixion, that the Feast of Unleavened Bread is about His burial, and that First Fruits is about His resurrection? And 40 days after His resurrection is Pentecost when the Holy Spirit (the Ruach HaKodesh in Heberew) was upon believers.

These are the Lord's Spring Feasts, instituted by Him and observed by the Israelites (mainly the Jews as they walk in obedience to Yahweh). They are found in Leviticus 23.

Why haven't we learned this all these years?! Why haven't Christians been celebrating Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread and First Fruits?! Why are we so disconnected in many facets from what the Bible teaches us? When serving the same God as the Jews, why are we doing things so opposite from them? I'm not talking about the rabbinical oral traditions/laws, I'm talking about Yahweh's Instructions (translated as laws in most of our Bibles).

We are learning so much from our pastor as he teaches about the Hebrew culture. He is explaining the how, the why, and the timing of things which took place leading up to Yeshua's crucifixion. He's teaching us from Hebrew language word studies and context. It is... I just don't have words to explain how wonderful it is to understand these things.

None of these things are *new revelations* or *mysteries*. They are just the facts but we have missed them for several reasons: 1) we are not aware of the Hebrew culture; 2) we have not been taught how to examine the Scriptures from the original languages; 3) we tend to listen to a sermon and then get on with life vs. giving our attention to the Bible for ourselves; 4) we have not learned and /or understood the Hebrew mindset; 5) sometime we just plain haven't cared; 6) we've been content with where we are at and don't want to be budged.

I don't know about you, but I'm thrilled to be able to grow in the knowledge of Yahweh! Who is He, this Elohim (God) that I love and serve? I'm thankful for the opportunity. I'm thankful that He patiently and lovingly guides us through His word to teach us about Him. I'm thankful that we have individual, personal relationships with Him. I have.got.to.learn.more- I'm hungry and thirsty for more! How about you?

This post is terribly short, but I want to give you a little prelude to what several of my blog posts will be about. It's all very exciting and I hope you will join me on this journey of learning more about our Savior and growing in the knowledge of Yahweh, our Heavenly Father!

Blessings!